Device for lighting race-tracks



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-$119551.

E. G. SOLOMON & L. V. MORSE. DEVICE FOR LIGHTING RAGE TRACKS.

No. 595,353. Patented Dec. 14, 1897.

W JV'ESSES N g I Va/TUB Attorney.

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Shget 2, E..G.'SOLOMON 8; L. V. MORSE.

DEVICE FOR LIGHTING RAGE TRACKS.

Patented Dec. 14,1897.

Fig:

' WITNESSES 2 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

EMMET G. SOLOMON 'AND LORENZO V. MORSE, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

DEVICE FOR LIGHTING RACE-TRACKS.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,353, dated December 14, 1897.

Application filed December 5, 1896. Serial No. 614,648. (No model.)

To an whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, EMMET G. SOLOMON and LORENZO V. MORSE,citiZenS of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska-,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Lighting Race-Tracks; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention,

diagrammatical view of a race-track and grand stand, showing the arrangement of the lights and reflecting-wall. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of one of the field cluster lights. the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detailed view of one of the stretch-lights.

Referring to the numerals on the drawings, 1 indicates a substantially elliptical racetrack; 2, the home stretch; 3, the backstretch, and 4 and 5 the turns thereof.

6 indicates the field, by which we mean the area encompassed by the track, and 7 indicates the grand stand located outside of and along the home-stretch.

8 indicates an inclosing wall of canvas or other suitable material and having a reflecting-surface upon the side next to the track.

9 indicates a series of arc'or other suitable lights suspended above the home-stretch 2 and provided with oonoidal reflectors 10, which extend a sufficient distance below the light to obscure it from the eyes of spectators seated in the grand stand.

11 and 12 indicate what we will call field cluster lights, located, respectively, at the axis of each turn or curved portion of the race-track. These cluster lights are composed of a segmental frame 14, consisting of a Fig. 4 is a sectional view on oonoidal top-15 and a bottom plate 16, inclos ing a series of reflectors 17 and lights 18. The segmental form of these cluster lights and their relative location with respect to point beyond either side of the grand stand.

In like manner it will be noted that the opposite sides 19 of the angular backs are so related that their lines of direction would intercept at a'point to one side of the center of the back-stretch. The reason for this peculiarity of construction of the cluster lights and their relative location is obvious, since it will be observed that the lights of each cluster are obscured from the grand stand, while they are permitted to radiate light so as to brilliantly illuminate both of the turns and the entire back-stretch, the home-stretch being illuminated by the stretch-lights 2, as hereinbefore specified. The relative location of the lights is designed, further, to eliminate, as far as possible, the objectionable shadows which have heretofore made night .racing impracticable, for the reason that they tend to distract the attention of the horses. We have entirely eliminated this objection, however, by the employment of a white inclosing wall upon the outer edge of the track, which, by its reflection of the intense light, renders the shadows so light that they are substantially imperceptible.

We do not limit ourselves to the details of construction herein shown and described, but reserve to ourselves the right to change, modify, or vary them at will within the scope of our invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-- 1. An apparatus for illuminating a racetrack or the like consisting of a reflective Wall located along the outer edge of the track, a series or cluster of lights arranged to illuminate the opposite ends and the back-stretch of the track within the reflective wall, means located at the sides of the lights to prevent radiation of light upon the home-stretch, and a series of lights arranged along the homestretch, the direct rays of which are shielded from the grand stand, all substantially as specified.

2. An apparatus for illuminating a racetrack or the like consisting of a reflective wall located along the outer edge of the track, a series or cluster of lights arranged in an arc concentric with the turns at the opposite ends of the track within the reflective wall, means located at the sides of the lights to prevent radiation of light upon the homestretch, and a series of lights arranged along the home-stretch, the direct rays of which are shielded from the grand stand, all substantially as specified.

3. An apparatus for illuminating a racetrack or the like, consisting of a reflective wall arranged in a substantially elliptical form and closely surrounding the track, series or clusters of lights arranged in arcs concentric with the turns at the opposite ends of the track and within the reflective wall, opaque plates located at the sides of the lights to prevent radiation of light upon the home-stretch, and a series of lights arranged along the home-stretch, the direct rays of which are shielded from the grand stand, all substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EHME" G. SOLOMON. LORENZO V. MORSE.

\Vitnesses:

GUY D. SOLOMON, GEO. A. OSTROM. 

